Bangkok: The government has confirmed that it will not collect water and electricity fees in areas designated as evacuation zones for the period of July and August. It has stated that payments made in July will be deducted immediately in September. Meanwhile, repairs to border residents’ homes are over 60% complete.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office and the committee of the Thai-Cambodian Border Situation Administration (TCASA), reported on progress in monitoring assistance for residents and homes damaged by the unrest in the Thai-Cambodian border area. Repairs have been completed to over 400 of the 705 homes in total, with approximately 200 homes remaining with minor damage still under repair.
Mr. Jirayu also stated that the Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration has received reports from local administrative officials in provinces affected by Cambodian weapons fired into civilian homes. The government has instructed all relevant agencies to repair homes, including conducting field surveys and estimating repair costs to provide assistance to residents whose homes have been affected by the incident along the Thai-Cambodian border.
The government has facilitated the use of budgets from various sectors, such as the Ministry of Interior, through local administrative organizations, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation/Prime Minister’s Office Fund, the Thai Red Cross Society, and donations. It was found that a total of 705 houses were damaged in 4 provinces. The breakdown by province is as follows: Sisaket Province with 445 houses damaged, Ubon Ratchathani Province with 139 houses damaged, Surin Province with 107 houses damaged, and Buriram Province with 14 houses damaged.
Regarding the news report about villagers in Ban Kruat District, Buriram Province, who evacuated from evacuation centers following the unrest along the Thai-Cambodian border and received electricity bills from the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), Mr. Chirayu confirmed that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, has ordered the waiver of electricity and water bills for July-August 2025 in areas declared evacuation zones. Therefore, electricity users in the area do not need to pay the bills listed on their bills. If payment has been made, the PEA will refund the amount by deducting it from the following month’s bill.
“The government is fully and comprehensively providing assistance to affected people. Agencies have been assigned to expedite relief and repairs to damaged homes, whether complete or partial, to ensure swift completion. This is supported by funding from various sectors, including personnel from local military units, to expedite the relief efforts and ensure people can return to normal life as quickly as possible,” said Mr. Jirayu.